This is the best bakery in Cortina! The location is outside of central Cortina, but people go out…read moreof their way for the amazing items this place produces. I've never not stood in line for this place. If you only choose one item here, make sure it is a krafen! They are filled to order and often times still warm if you order them in the afternoon. I personally like the kraken crema. There is no seating here, so either plan to take you order with you or just stand outside and stuff your face like the rest of the customers do. You won't be sorry for a visit here!

Our group of seven enjoyed a one-night stay at the Hotel Ambra after a long morning of traveling…read morefrom Venice. Thankfully it was a reasonably short walk with our luggage from the bus stop to the hotel entrance. (The cobblestone streets adding a minor tricky factor for the rollerbags). Our arrival at the hotel was painless due to the very friendly, professional staff. The rooms were not quite ready yet, but they offered us a welcome beverage and invited us into their funky lounge (with some unique, crazy wallpaper). During this relaxing break they gave us some ideas for nearby activities and eateries; they even directed a few group photos. The rooms themselves were a traditional style, but well maintained and upgraded, with plenty of modern touches. The only oddity was lack of a shower in my room - instead they had a large tub with a "wand" I could raise above my head. So I took a shower/bath in the morning; not great, but not terrible either. Breakfast was fantastic, with excellent coffee, eggs (cooked-to-order), yogurt, and an enormous variety of fruit, pastries, meats, and cheeses. I may have overdone it. The hotel location was stellar as well - only a block uphill from the Piazza Angelo and the nearby basilica. We were within easy walking distance of multiple restaurants, bars, and shops. But we were not here to buy anything. This would be our last stay in a hotel for a while. The next morning, with most of our luggage transferred elsewhere, we left the Ambra on foot with all we needed on our backs for the next nine days (except food and shelter). After grabbing a series of buses to Lago de Braies, we would begin our 80-mile hut-to-hut trek along the Alta Via 1 that runs north to south in the Dolomites. (But it sure was nice to get spoiled a little beforehand).

Hotel Ambra is a beautiful hotel in Cortina. The staff is very friendly. They have a well decorated…read morelounge area in the lobby and all empty spaces have been filled with some art or decoration. A wonderful breakfast is included with your stay. There are breads, meats, cheeses, fruits, yogurts, and more. They have soft boiled eggs but will also make eggs to order. There are packaged snacks as well for your hikes or bike rides. The rooms are a bit small, but they make efficient use of space. Even the pull out bed is comfortable (which comes out of the closet against the wall). The room was clean and had no bad smells. The only thing that bothered me in the room was the bathroom curtain. There was a big glass window between the bedroom and bathroom with a remote controlled curtain for privacy. This is great, however, it does not cover the full glass window and someone in the bedroom can see you go to the bathroom. This is fine if you're staying with a significant other, but not if you're with your dad! The bathroom has good toiletries and a hair dryer is provided. Also, there are slippers. I was able to make use even though they were small. Hotel Ambra thinks about all the details. They have a small bar to make you drinks and simple snacks in the evening. One night they had pretzels and the other night was chips and peanuts. There are even hazelnut chocolates at the front desk. It had been rainy while we were there and they had umbrellas for us to use. Fun tid-bit: the keys are very heavy. Thankfully, they will hold the keys at the front desk until you get back. Overall, you will not regret staying at Hotel Ambra. Great service, well maintained rooms, and a feast for breakfast.